§ 36. Lieut.-Commander TUFNELLasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the recent inquest at Sandwich on Mr. George 1989 Bates, who was killed by a train while riding his motor-cycle over a level crossing, and to the urgent need that such level crossings should be done away with; and how many level crossings remain in the country where the side wicket-gate is left open when the main gate is closed?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAYes, Sir, and I have repeatedly intimated to highway authorities my readiness to give Road Fund grants up to 75 per cent. in the case of approved schemes for replacing level crossings by bridges. I do not know how many wicket gates are left open in the country as a whole.
§ Captain H. BALFOURArising out of that reply, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this level crossing is at a point where a very deserted road runs over a railway, and where it would be quite unecenomic to build a bridge? Is he also aware that there are much more heavy casualties in Cambridge than there are in the Isle of Thanet?